top of page
@olivia-edvalson-20.jpg

DIRECTION'S COMMUNITY-BASED EDUCATION

​

Direction's  Community-Based Education teaches kids how to build and maintain healthy relationships to improve their ability to function in the world.

 

Our Community is the heart and soul of our program.  From a treatment perspective, it can be considered to be how we “do group therapy” at Direction.  From a broader perspective, it is an educational model designed to help all community members function better in the world and move toward a state of optimal wellness.

 

At Direction, we employ our Leadership Principles and Behavioral Guidelines to build community.  These principles and guidelines ensure that all members develop healthier habits and better relationship skills through community support and authentic feedback.  We commit to practicing proactive habits to grow into more functional, compassionate, and resilient adults. 

 

The key to the Direction Community is positive culture.  To maintain this culture, our day consists of a blend of:

 

  • Sit-down groups (typically one at 1:30 and another at 4:00).

  • Activities (e.g., walks, sports, yoga, music, art).

  • Freeform, loosely-structured time.

 

We work to help individual community members:

 

  • Develop healthy habits.

  • Build healthy relationships.

  • Navigate conflict.

  • Make plans for overcoming obstacles and pursuing individual goals.

 

Our clinical staff does not make clients “better”.  They create a community, environment, and culture that supports clients in their pursuit of wellness. 

​

THE LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES

1. SHOW UP.

​

  1. Extend love to all group members.

  2. Never give up on any group member.

 

2. PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH.

 

  1. Lead by example, not by decree.

  2. Be a positive role model.

  3. Give up control to gain authority.

 

3. ENCOURAGE GROUP MEMBERS TO GROW.

 

  1. Provide maximum support with minimum interference.

  2. Allow space for failure.

  3. Recognize reward and punishment are not durable. 

  4. Encourage group members to take responsibility for all their actions and decisions.

 

4. INTERVENE WHEN YOU NEED TO.

 

  1. Lead decisively during train-track moments.

  2. Protect the culture of the larger group.

  3. Avoid adversarial dynamics.

  4. Avoid enabling unhealthy behavior.

  5. Remember you are not in the feel-better business, but the function-better business.

THE BEHAVIORAL GUIDELINES

1. MAINTAIN ATTITUDE OF RESPECT AND DIGNITY.

 

a. Politely greet, welcome, and acknowledge efforts of all.

b. Calmly request space if emotionally overwhelmed.
c. Apologize for any possible offense, including accidents.

 

2. USE LANGUAGE AND BODY RESPONSIBLY.

 

a. Avoid offensive words, including those of a racial, ethnic, religious, or sexual nature.

b. Refrain from using language or body to intimidate or injure.
c. Calmly ask for explanation of any confusion, disagreement, conflict, or concern.

 

3. PROACTIVELY COOPERATE.

 

a. Seek opportunities to assist others, and resist urges to embarrass or undermine.

b. Gratefully acknowledge authority of leaders.
c. Treat all members as teammates, regardless of personal feelings.

 

4. CAREFULLY ATTEND TO HEALTH AND SAFETY.

 

a. Alert an adult to any physical pain or danger.

b. Control body movement such that self and others are not injured.

c. Keep body properly groomed (e.g., daily bathing, teeth brushing, etc.)

d. Take good care of all furniture, equipment, facilities, and environment.

e. Wear activity-appropriate clothing.

 

5. HONESTLY GIVE BEST EFFORT.

 

a. Calmly communicate all perceived offenses.
b. Earnestly participate in just resolution of dispute.
c. Put education, wellness of self and others, and responsibility to community ahead of personal image and interests.

bottom of page